Saturday 19 July at 21:27 : Just as Felipe Massa dismissed claims he is not good in the wet, fellow formula one driver Mark Webber on Saturday was also fending off similarly simplistic paddock perspectives.

After qualifying in the top ten yet again at Hockenheim, the 31-year-old Australian rejected the thesis he is an ace on Saturday afternoons but not quite as good in the dash to the chequered flag.

The opinion was given new life after Silverstone two weeks ago, when Webber delivered Red Bull's first ever front row qualifying position but then spun on the first lap.

"Well, I have 18 points this year, that's all I can say," Webber told F1's official website, obviously drawing attention to his tally in comparison with his teammate David Coulthard's 6 points in 2008.

"As you don't get points in qualifying I must have done well in the races," Webber added.

In the same interview, Webber also said he welcomes the decision to pit him against Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull next year.

Less than 12 months ago, Webber slammed the 21-year-old German as an inexperienced "kid" after their collision at the Japanese grand prix.

"He definitely deserves the chance," Webber said at Hockenheim. "He is a very fast driver and he is very disciplined.

"He definitely will go to the top in this sport and I am looking forward very much to working with him next year," he added, still referring to Vettel.